Statement from Horizon League Commissioner Jon LeCrone Concerning Butler University

INDIANAPOLIS -- A statement from Horizon League Commissioner Jon LeCrone regarding Butler University:

“This morning, I was informed by President James Danko of Butler’s decision to withdraw from the Horizon League and affiliate with another conference. The Horizon League is among 24 other NCAA Division I conferences whose membership has been impacted by realignment over the past two years.

“We are proud of the role the Horizon League played in providing a platform for Butler to significantly improve its athletics programs and achieve the highest level of national competitiveness in men’s basketball.

“We are committed to sustaining those same opportunities for all League members. Under the leadership of our board of directors, we have an aggressive growth agenda which has been in the planning stages for some time. That agenda is values based, collaborative, measured, informed and principled.

“We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. The Horizon League will continue to be defined by our student-athletes as they compete, serve and learn. It is our student-athletes who encompass the best values of higher education and intercollegiate athletics.”

LeCrone will be available on a press call at 2 p.m. ET this afternoon to answer media inquiries. For call-in information, contact Bill Potter at bpotter@horizonleague.org.